Buccaneers secure playoff birth
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t been in the playoffs since 1982 in the strike shortened season. They snapped that streak when they defeated the New York Jets, 23-9, on Sunday at Giants Stadium.
The Buccaneers’ defense was the story on Sunday. They held the Jets’ potent running attack to just 45 yards. They also did a number on QB Neil O’Donnell, who came into the game without throwing an interception this season. On O’Donnell’s 403rd throw of the season in the second quarter of week 16, he threw his first interception of the season to Donnie Abraham. O’Donnell’s 402 attempts without an interception is an NFL record.
In fact, late in the fourth quarter, O’Donnell threw his second interception which thwarted a Jet scoring drive and a chance to tighten up the game. O’Donnell was 19 of 38 passing for 218 yards and the two interceptions.
As for the Buccaneers, they finally got their running game going. They rushed for 139 yards on the day and controlled the clock. RB Warrick Dunn rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown, which sealed the game. Mike Alstott rushed for 51 yards on 14 carries.
The Buccaneers have secured a spot in the NFC playoffs with the victory today and they will end their season at home against Chicago. With the loss, the Jets do not control their own destiny for the final playoff spot in the AFC. They need to win their final game at Detroit and hope Seattle loses one of its final two games against Oakland (today) and San Francisco (next week).